A literal prick on the road. Not much nice than the metaphor, is it?

While walking the dog through a park near our house that was in the process of a makeover with new ballfields, playgrounds and turf, we followed the newly paved trail around the perimeter and met up with some interesting artwork on the brand new asphalt.

Some local kid had discovered a discarded can of fluorescent spray paint used for marking the construction site and fashioned, with artistically composed dribbles, repeated images of male genitalia at intervals around the park. A road prick.

We’re all aware that the slang for male genitalia is “prick.” But it also has another meaning, a harsher definition related to being mean toward someone, or mistreating them. Interesting, all these definitions for the word “prick” converge at some point, as evidenced by this online reference.  If you call someone a prick it means they’re being a jerk, selfish or worse.

Fascinatingly, in line with the illustration provided for this article, this is the 15th reference in definition of the word “prick”:

15: to mark (a surface) with pricks or dots in tracing something.

So this is one of those weirdly odd occasions when art really does meet reality. And so we proceed.

Those “road pricks” on the park trail got me thinking about the symbolism of the images, and how many times the metaphor has come true in meeting pricks on the roads over the years. We all encounter “pricks” of various types while running and riding. People who will not even lift their heads or give a wave as they run or ride past us.

For a long time it perplexed me why people seemed so unfriendly. It was an old habit of mine to wave hello even during intense workouts. I don’t know why, it just seemed right. You’re out doing something you love, why be a prick about it?

Runners usually do wave hello if you wave at them. Even the fastest runners can be seen from a long way off, so there’s plenty of time to look up and acknowledge another runner.

Cycling is a little different. For starters, it really is important to keep your eyes on the road to monitor the surface for tarsnakes, road debris and other obstacles. Otherwise you can wind up with road rash, or worse yet, become road kill.

So we can all agree, cyclists absolutely must focus their eyes and minds to monitor traffic closely, lest they be killed or injured by a vehicle. All those are very good reasons to keep your focus and may preclude saying hello to another cyclist when out riding.

On an empty road…

There are also times when two cyclists pass  going opposite directions and the opportunity to at least give a little wave is patent and obvious. Yet some people still refuse to do so. That is called being a prick.

And there are reasons, albeit social in nature, for cyclists to behave that way.

There is a well-defined hierarchy in cycling, far more pronounced and defined than in running. Cyclists fall into clear categories defined by the type of bike they ride (road, mountain or casual, for example) followed by the clothes they wear (full road kit, triathlon gear, basic cycling wear and ‘just out for a ride’) and finally, the subtle marks of form and pace.

All these factors can be assessed at a glance by seasoned cyclists. Some instantly make a judgment in their own eyes and simply refuse to acknowledge anyone outside their category. Is that being a prick to others, or is human nature simply prone to such tribal behaviors?

The competitive hierarchy of cycling almost determines that behavior. The reality is that the faster you are going on the road, the more you need to pay attention to what you are doing. So despite the fact that you’d like the guy or gal on the $7,000 Trek Madone with full team kit (even socks!) to wave at you, they often don’t have the time or attention to do so. Perhaps they’ve earned the right to be pricks, of a sort.

Let’s not forget. There are pricks among runners as well. The best male runners tend to be young and focused. It is not uncommon for these folks to go zipping by you without a word. Their mind is on the next performance. Joggers simply don’t register with them. I admit I was one of those types. A long time ago. Now I wave to create wind resistance so that it is harder for that pregnant mom pushing a stroller while jogging to pass me by. I exaggerate, but you get the picture.

Women rarely seem to be pricks on purpose. I know, they do lack a certain part of the anatomy that some people speculate actually causes prickish behavior in men. And that’s likely accurate.

But it really should be less expected for women to be gregarious and social to strangers while out running, particularly if they are running or riding alone. Safety is a big concern for with women, and justifiably so. A woman in the midst of a workout deserves to focus on herself, and not attract unwanted attention. Street harassment is still a problem for many women, be it visual or verbal. That means women have good reasons to keep to themselves. It is also why so many women elect to run or ride with training partners. Safety and social constructs are part of that picture. Many women simply prefer to run or ride with company. It motivates them, satisfies a social need and provides a sounding board for their goals.

Even so, women in pairs or groups even tend to be on their guard. Many times I’ve ridden up behind a pair of women riding together and asked to join them. Sometimes they do not mind, but sometimes it is clear they would rather be left alone. At all times men should respect the rights of women on the road. If there is any question that you are not really welcome in their company, it is important to go your own way, lest you be the prick in that situation.

The Group Prick Dynamic

Group riders can often come off as pricks as well. A solo rider on a country road who gets overtaken by a fast-moving group of cyclist has almost no chance of catching on if there is no warning they are come. If you are pedaling 20 mph and a group chases you down and passes at 23, the wind in your ears will likely prevent you from catching any sign of their approach. Too often members of that group cast their gaze on the solo rider as if the poor victim sucks for getting caught. In actuality, many know that if it was them and getting caught they would not have any greater chance off staying away.

So do your respective sports a favor, everyone. Don’t be a cycling prick. Don’t be a running prick. Don’t be a road prick of any kind. There are enough other pricks on the road from other sources without us being pricks to each other.